Paul Maltese has solid, tough season at Sunset Speedway

To do well over the course of a season, one must be very consistent and log solid finishes each week. A driver that fit those words to a key this past season at Sunset Speedway was Paul Maltese.

“It was another hard season without any wins,” Maltese said. “The last couple of seasons have been pretty hard.”

Despite not reaching victory lane at the end of a feature this season, the veteran Super Stock driver posted some solid feature finishes – seven top fives and 14 top 10s in 14 nights – but was unable to reach victory lane. He did reach victory lane during the qualifying heats – scoring three heat wins this past season.

The competition in the Super Stock division at Sunset Speedway is steep with some of the top drivers in the province. To win on any given night is no easy feat as only four drivers were able to reach victory lane in 2013.

Looking over the season overall for the driver of the No. 28 Presto Appliance Repair, South Simcoe Police, MADD, Ontario Steel Sales, Innisfil Machine and Welding, Wix Canada, and Gunk Canada Super Stock, there was a critical highlight. For treating other drivers with respect, as well as helping others out, Maltese was honored with the Most Sportsmanlike Driver Award at the banquet.

“It was nice to get the Sportsman award; that was nice,” he commented.

Focus has already shifted towards the season ahead as Maltese will be returning to Sunset Speedway once again, hoping to knock the goose egg out of the win column, whether driving the same car or a new car.

“We will be there for sure trying to get back to wining some races like the old day,” he said.